Truck/cab window cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for cleaning a window positioned between the passenger compartment of a pick-up truck and a cab enclosure covering a bed of the pick-up truck. The apparatus includes a single, unitary, one piece, generally planar, elongate body having a first enlarged end for receiving a soft material cleaning cover for cleaning a window surface, an elongate middle portion, and a second enlarged end opposite from the first enlarged end. At least one hand-grip portion or handle is formed integrally in one piece with the body along at least one outer edge. A squeegee portion can be integrally formed with the second enlarged end, if desired. The plurality of stiffening ribs can extend around peripheral edges of the body and transversely across a surface of the middle portion from a notch formed along one side to another notch from along an opposite side in a zig-zag pattern. The notches can be formed in opposite sides of the middle portion spaced longitudinally from one another along the longitudinal length of the middle portion of the body and extending inwardly toward one another.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Design ApplicationSer. No. 29/180,042, filed on Apr. 17, 2003, and a continuation-in-partof Design Application Ser. No. 29/187,669, filed on Aug. 5, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning a window of amotor vehicle, and more particularly, is well adapted for cleaning awindow located in a narrow clearance space between a passengercompartment of a pick-up truck and a cab enclosure covering a bed of thepick-up truck.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is popular among pick-up truck operators to install a cab orhard cover over a bed of the pick-up truck. In many cab configurations,the clearance space between the rear window of the truck and frontwindow of the cab is on the order of less than 2 inches. The minimalamount of clearance makes cleaning the opposing truck and cab windows adifficult task. The task can be even more difficult with configurationswhere one or both windows are curved, particularly when curved towardone another.

[0004] A window cleaning device for a car or a truck typically includesa cleaning head attached to a handle. The head typically includes acleaning sponge located in an elongate channel extending along one sideof the head transverse to a longitudinal axis of a handle. The head canalso include a second channel supporting a rubber blade on an oppositeside for removing cleaning fluid from the window. The typical handle canbe an elongate cylinder or shaft and can be difficult to firmly grip.The typical head can be too wide to fit between the passengercompartment of the truck and the cab or hard cover enclosing the bed ofthe truck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides an apparatus for cleaning a windowassociated with the narrow clearance between a passenger compartment ofa pick-up truck with a cab enclosure over the bed. The cleaningapparatus includes an enlarged end, an elongate middle portion, and anenlarged opposite end. The enlarged end can receive a soft covering forcleaning the window surface, and can include means for gripping the softcovering, such as hook shaped portions. The enlarged end can include anintegral handgrip adjacent an outer edge. The enlarged opposite end canalso include a squeegee portion. The middle portion can include one ormore reinforcement ribs or integral stiffeners to increase rigidity.

[0006] Other objects, advantages and applications of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when thefollowing description of the best mode contemplated for practicing theinvention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The various features, advantages, and other uses of the presentinvention will become more apparent by referring to the followingdetailed description and drawing in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a truck/cab window cleaningapparatus comprising an enlarged end, an elongate middle portion, and anenlarged opposite end, the cleaning apparatus having a hand grip locatedon at least one of the outer edges according to the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the truck/cab window cleaning apparatusaccording to the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the truck/cab window cleaningapparatus according to the present invention as illustrated in FIGS.1-2;

[0011]FIG. 4. is an end elevational view of the truck/cab windowcleaning apparatus according to the present invention as illustrated inFIGS. 1-3;

[0012]FIG. 5 is bottom view of the truck/cab window cleaning apparatusaccording to the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a truck/cab window cleaningapparatus including an enlarged end, an elongate middle portion, and anenlarged opposite end, the cleaning apparatus having a hand grip locatedat least on two opposite outer edges according to the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a plan view of the truck/cab window cleaning apparatusaccording to the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 6;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the truck/cab window cleaningapparatus according to the present invention as illustrated in FIGS.6-7;

[0016]FIG. 9. is an end elevational view of the truck/cab windowcleaning apparatus according to the present invention as illustrated inFIGS. 6-8; and

[0017]FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the truck/cab window cleaningapparatus according to the present invention as illustrated in FIGS.6-9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] Various embodiments are shown throughout the Figures illustratingthe present invention, and include common elements in differentstructural configurations where common elements are designated with acommon base numeral and differentiated with a different alphabeticdesignation for the various embodiments. Descriptions for the basenumeral designations are considered to be generic to the differentalphabetic extensions added to the alternative embodiments except asspecifically noted herein.

[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a truck/cab window cleaning apparatusaccording to the present invention includes a single, unitary,one-piece, generally planar, elongate body 10 having a first enlargedend 12, an elongate middle portion 14 and a second enlarged end 16opposite from the first end 12. The enlarged end 12 can receive areplaceable soft material cleaning cover 30. By way of example and notlimitation, the cover 30 can be a cleaning mitt made of a soft clothmaterial or a sponge material. The enlarged end 12 can include means 18for gripping and holding the cloth covering in place on the enlarged end12. By way of example and not limitation, the gripping means 18 can bein the form of outwardly extending hooks to operably engage and hold thehollow sleeve or mitt of soft material. The elongate middle portion 14extends between the first and second ends 12, 16, and can includeintegrally formed peripheral ribs 20 or transversely extendingstiffeners 22 to increase rigidity of the middle portion 14. By way ofexample and not limitation, the ribs 20 and/or stiffeners 22 can belocated on at least one side, and preferably both sides, of the body 10.A squeegee portion 24 can be provided attached to the second end 16, ifdesired. The body 10 can include a hand grip 26 extending along an outerperipheral edge 28 of the second end 16. In the illustrated embodiment,the body 10 can include inwardly extending notches formed spacedlongitudinally from one another along a longitudinal length of theelongate middle portion 14. The transversely extending stiffeners 22 canbe angled transversely across a surface of the middle portion from onenotch on one side of the middle portion to another notch formed on anopposite side of the middle portion defining a “zig-zag” pattern. Thestiffeners 22 on an opposite side of the body can alternate the“zig-zag” pattern, such that an “X” shape stiffener is defined whenviewing the body with the stiffener of one surface shown in solid lineand the stiffener of an opposite surface shown in hidden line, as bestdetermined by close comparison of FIGS. 2 and 5.

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 6-10, a truck/cab window cleaningapparatus according to the present invention includes a single, unitary,one piece, generally planar, elongate body 10 a having a first enlargedend 12 a, an elongate middle portion 14 a, and a second end 16 aopposite from the first end 12 a. The enlarged end 12 a can includesmeans 18b for gripping and holding a replaceable soft material cleaningcover 30 a. The cleaning cover 30 a can be a hollow sleeve cleaning mittor glove, by way of example and not limitation, made of a soft clothmaterial or a sponge material. The elongate middle portion 14 a of thebody 10 a extends between the first and second ends 12 a, 16 a, and caninclude peripheral ribs 20 a or transversely extending stiffeners 22 aformed on along one or more sides of the body 10 a. The second end 16 acan include an integral handgrip 26 a located along an outer peripheraledge 28a of the end 16 a. The second end 16 a can also include asqueegee portion 24 a, if desired. The squeegee portion 24 a can includea squeegee blade 30 a located on one or both sides of the body 10 a. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the body 10 a can include inwardly extendingnotches formed spaced longitudinally from one another along alongitudinal length of the elongate middle portion 14 a. Thetransversely extending stiffeners 22 a can be angled transversely acrossa surface of the middle portion from one notch on one side of the middleportion to another notch formed on an opposite side of the middleportion defining a “zig-zag” pattern. The stiffeners 22 a on an oppositeside of the body can alternate the “zig-zag” pattern, such that an “X”shape stiffener is defined when viewing the body with the stiffener ofone surface shown in solid line and the stiffener of an opposite surfaceshown in hidden line, as best determined by close comparison of FIGS. 7and 10. An additional longitudinally extending stiffener can be providedextending along a substantial portion of the longitudinal length of theelongate middle portion can be provided, if additional rigidity isdesired.

[0021] While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for cleaning a window positionedbetween a passenger compartment of a truck and a cab enclosing a bed ofthe truck comprising: a single, unitary, generally planar elongate bodyhaving a first enlarged end, an elongate middle portion, and a secondenlarged end opposite from the first end; and at least one hand-gripportion integrally formed as one piece with the body, the hang-gripportion located along at least one outer peripheral edge of the body. 2.The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a replaceable soft materialcleaning cover engagable on the first enlarged end.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the first enlarged end further comprises: means forgripping the replaceable soft material cleaning cover.
 4. The apparatusof claim 3, wherein the gripping means further comprises a plurality ofhooks integrally formed on the body for engagement with the cover. 5.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cover further comprises one of acleaning mitt and a sponge.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising: a squeegee formed integrally on the second enlarged end. 7.The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of ribsintegrally formed on the body for stiffening the body.
 8. The apparatusof claim 7, wherein the ribs are located along outer peripheral edges ofthe body and extending transversely along the body between peripheraledges.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the ribs extend transverselyacross a surface of the middle portion from a notch formed along oneside to another notch from along an opposite side in a zig-zag pattern,the notches formed in opposite sides of the middle portion spacedlongitudinally from one another along the longitudinal length of themiddle portion of the body and extending inwardly toward one another.10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is formed of athermoplastic injection molded material.
 11. An apparatus for cleaning awindow positioned between a passenger compartment of a truck and a cabenclosing a bed of the truck comprising: a single, unitary, generallyplanar, elongate body having a first enlarged end, an elongate middleportion, and a second enlarged end opposite from the first end; and atleast two hand-grip portions integrally formed on the body, onehand-grip portion formed as one piece with the body along an outerperipheral edge of each enlarged end of the body.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 11 further comprising: a replaceable soft material cleaning coverengagable with the first enlarged end.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the enlarged end further comprises: means for gripping thecleaning cover.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the grippingmeans further comprise a plurality of hooks integrally formed on thefirst enlarged end for engagement with the cleaning cover.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the covering further comprises one of acleaning mitt and a sponge.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11 furthercomprising: a plurality of ribs integrally formed on the body forstiffening the body.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the ribs arelocated along outer peripheral edges of the body and extendingtransversely along the body between peripheral edges.
 18. The apparatusof claim 11, wherein the ribs extend transversely across a surface ofthe middle portion from a notch formed along one side to another notchfrom along an opposite side in a zig-zag pattern, the notches formed inopposite sides of the middle portion spaced longitudinally from oneanother along the longitudinal length of the middle portion of the bodyand extending inwardly toward one another.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11further comprising: a squeegee portion integrally formed on the secondenlarged end.
 20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the body is formedof a thermoplastic injection molded material.
 21. An apparatus forcleaning a window positioned between a passenger compartment of a truckand a cab enclosing a bed of the truck comprising: a single, unitary,generally planar elongate body having a first enlarged end, an elongatemiddle portion, and a second enlarged end opposite from the first end,wherein the body is formed of a thermoplastic injection molded material;a plurality of integral ribs formed on the body for stiffening the body,wherein the ribs extend transversely across a surface of the middleportion from a notch formed along one side to another notch from alongan opposite side in a zig-zag pattern, the notches formed in oppositesides of the middle portion spaced longitudinally from one another alongthe longitudinal length of the middle portion of the body and extendinginwardly toward one another; a squeegee formed integrally on the secondenlarged end; at least one hand-grip portion integrally formed as onepiece with the body, the hang-grip portion located along at least oneouter peripheral edge of the body; a replaceable soft material cleaningcover engagable on the first enlarged end, wherein the cover includesone of a cleaning mitt and a sponge; and means for gripping thereplaceable soft material cleaning cover, wherein the gripping meansincludes a plurality of hooks integrally formed on the body forengagement with the cover.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the atleast one hand-grip portion further comprises: a first hand-grip portionlocated along an outer peripheral edge of the first enlarged end; and asecond hand-grip portion located along an outer peripheral of the secondenlarged end.